Just one weekend a month and two weeks a year of Army National Guard service is a small price to pay for a free chance to go to college.
But for education senior Donie Malarcher and electrical engineering junior Clint Broussard, things were not that easy.
In May 2002, Malarcher and Broussard’s unit, the 769th Engineers Battalion of Baton Rouge, was called up to active duty to support Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.
Malarcher would have graduated the following year, but was forced to put his college career, as well as his wife and daughter, on hold while he went overseas to serve the country.
“We’re supposed to go, so I was going to honor my commitment,” Malarcher said.
When the 769th unit was deployed, Malarcher and Broussard were told they would return in December, but actually got back in February. By that time, both students had missed two semesters.
Upon returning from nine months in Afghanistan, both had also reached the end of their six-year active participatory commitment to the National Guard, and entered non-participatory status for two years as they originally had planned.
But because Malarcher and Broussard were not active in the Army National Guard, they were no longer eligible for tuition exemption. Both still had at least two semesters left to graduate.
Had Malarcher not been deployed, he would have graduated while still under tuition exemption, and Broussard soon after.
“It seems a little unfair. We were taken out of school when we were deployed, then we get back and have to take out all these loans,” Broussard said.
For tuition exemption, a benefit available in only 18 other states, the Louisiana Army National Guard set up strict guidelines for eligibility.
“Anyone that is not an active member of the Army National Guard doesn’t receive tuition exemption,” said Army National Guard recruiter Sgt. 1st Class William Conger.
National Guard officials recommended Malarcher and Broussard re-enlist, for a minimum of one year, to receive the tuition benefits. If so, they would again be at risk for deployment.
“It’s like a bargaining tool to get you to sign up for more time. Then you get those last semesters,” Broussard said.
Last fall, Malarcher said he brought the issue to the attention of Brig. Gen. of the Louisiana National Guard, Hunt Downer, but was told nothing could be done.
“[Downer] told me it’s too much of a headache and too complicated to mess with. Too many other changes would have to be made,” Malarcher said.
Downer currently is on active duty in New Mexico and was not available for comment.
Malarcher also said Downer encouraged him to extend his enlistment. Malarcher and his wife, who currently is pregnant with their second child, decided they would rather pay the tuition than risk him being deployed again.
Kinesiology senior Michael White, who is still enlisted in the 769th unit said he sympathizes for Malarcher and Broussard, but understands the Army National Guard will not change it for them.
“Malarcher was in Afghanistan for about nine months, and all that time should count something for his tuition,” White said. “He’s a veteran who served his country and they should pay for his school.”